Electronic Endorsement of Check Images

1. A computer system comprising: a system for applying an endorsement to an electronic image of a bank check, by performing a method comprising: generating an endorsement image representing an action taken relative to processing the bank check, wherein the endorsement image is separate from the electronic image of the bank check; converting the endorsement image into a digitally halftoned endorsement image; and placing the digitally halftoned endorsement image onto the electronic image of the bank check.

2. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the endorsement image is generated as a bitmap image.

3. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system generates the endorsement image from static data and dynamic data.

4. The computer system of claim 3 , wherein the static data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: text, logos, and processing notations; and wherein the dynamic data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: a date, a time, an amount, and a reference number.

5. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the halftone system generates the digitally halftoned endorsement image at a predetermined or dynamically determined grayscale level.

6. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the positioning system places the digitally halftoned endorsement image onto the electronic image of the bank check at a predetermined or dynamically determined skew angle.

7. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the bank check comprises a format selected from the group consisting of: black white, bitonal, color and grayscale.

8. A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium for applying an endorsement to an electronic image of a bank check, the computer program product including program code, which when executed, causes a computer system to perform a method comprising: generating an endorsement image representing an action taken relative to processing the bank check, wherein the endorsement image is separate from the electronic image of the bank check; converting the endorsement image into a digitally halftoned endorsement image; and placing the digitally halftoned endorsement image onto the electronic image of the bank check.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the endorsement image is generated as a bitmap image.

10. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the endorsement image is generated by combining static data and dynamic data.

11. The computer program product of claim 10 , wherein the static data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: text, logos, and processing notations; and wherein the dynamic data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: a date, a time, an amount, and a reference number.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the digitally halftoned endorsement image is generated at either a predetermined or dynamically determined grayscale level.

13. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the digitally halftoned endorsement image is placed onto the electronic image of the bank check at either a predetermined or dynamically determined skew angle.

14. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the electronic image of the bank check comprises a format selected from the group consisting of: black white, bitonal, color and grayscale.

15. A method of configuring a computer system to apply an endorsement to an electronic image of a bank check, the method comprising: encoding program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium of a source computer system into a set of data signals; and providing the set of data signals for use on a destination computer system distinct from the source computer system, wherein, when executed, the program code causes the destination computer system to perform a method comprising: generating an endorsement image representing an action taken relative to processing the bank check, wherein the endorsement image is separate from the electronic image of the bank check; converting the endorsement image into a digitally halftoned endorsement image; and placing the digitally halftoned endorsement image onto the electronic image of the bank check.

16. The method of 15 , wherein the endorsement image is generated by combining static data and dynamic data.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the static data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: text, logos, and processing notations, and wherein the dynamic data comprises image data selected from the group consisting of: a date, a time, an amount, and a reference number.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the digitally halftoned endorsement image is generated at either a predetermined or dynamically determined grayscale level.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the digitally halftoned endorsement image is placed onto the electronic image of the bank check at either a predetermined or dynamically determined skew angle.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electronic image of the bank check comprises a format selected from the group consisting of: black white, bitonal, color and grayscale.